Facing Extradition
from the UAE?

Yes. The UAE processes extradition requests under bilateral treaties, multilateral conventions, and on the basis of reciprocity. The absence of a formal treaty does not necessarily prevent extradition, but it does affect the procedural requirements and available defences.

The timeline varies significantly. Provisional arrest can occur within days of a request. Court proceedings typically take 30–90 days at first instance, with appeals adding several months. The entire process — including ministerial decision — may span 6–18 months in contested cases.

No. UAE nationals cannot be extradited under Federal Law 39/2006. However, the UAE may agree to prosecute UAE nationals domestically for offences alleged by a foreign state. This creates different but still serious legal risks that require specialist advice.

Contact a specialist extradition lawyer immediately. You have the right to legal representation from the moment of arrest. The early stages are critical — bail applications, initial court hearings, and the formal response to the extradition request all have strict timelines.

An Interpol Red Notice is an international alert — it is not a warrant and does not itself authorise arrest. However, UAE authorities may use a Red Notice as the basis for provisional arrest while a formal extradition request is submitted. We have experience challenging the validity of Red Notices and their use in UAE proceedings.

Timelines vary significantly by jurisdiction and complexity. In uncontested cases with a treaty in place, proceedings may conclude in 3–6 months. Where defence arguments are raised — particularly human rights concerns or evidentiary challenges — proceedings regularly extend to 12–24 months. The UAE court system does not impose statutory deadlines on extradition proceedings, and provisional detention can be extended by the court pending resolution.

Yes. Under Federal Law No. 39/2006, the UAE can extradite to non-treaty states on the basis of reciprocity — meaning a political agreement that the requesting state will honour future UAE extradition requests. Extraditions to the USA, Germany, and several other non-treaty states have proceeded on this basis. The absence of a treaty therefore provides no absolute protection, though it does raise the procedural bar and increases the Minister of Justice's discretionary role.

The Ministry of Justice serves as the central authority for extradition matters. It receives and reviews formal requests from foreign states, transmits them to the Attorney General and the courts, and — critically — the Minister retains final discretion to refuse surrender even after court approval. This ministerial discretion is a significant feature of UAE extradition law that experienced counsel can engage through parallel diplomatic and legal representations.

The UAE does not extradite UAE nationals. Article 11 of Federal Law No. 39/2006 expressly prohibits the extradition of UAE citizens to foreign states. However, UAE nationals may face prosecution in the UAE for conduct committed abroad in certain circumstances. Foreign nationals — including long-term UAE residents and businesspeople — do not benefit from this protection and remain subject to extradition proceedings.